Moving to Zurich: your first 7 days checklist
This checklist is Zurich-tested, but designed to translate across Switzerland. The big rule is sequence: collect documents first, register early, understand the insurance clock, then build your “daily life baseline” (transport, telecom, banking, groceries).
Day 1 - Build your paper trail
Switzerland rewards documentation. Create one folder (digital + paper) with: passport/ID, lease or address confirmation, work contract, and any letter from your landlord/employer. This is not bureaucracy for the sake of it - it makes later steps faster.
Day 2 - Register (do not delay)
Registration deadlines and steps are canton/commune-dependent. In Zurich, a typical expectation is to register within 14 days of arrival. The exact office and the process can differ by municipality, so verify on the official portal.
Official starting points: Canton of Zurich - arrival and ch.ch - moving to Switzerland.
A common pattern: you arrive, you are tired, you “do it next week”, and suddenly it is week three. Even if your commune registers you, the delay often slows everything that depends on a confirmed address. Some communes can also charge administrative fees. The practical takeaway: register early, even if you still feel unsettled.
Day 3 - Health insurance: start the clock
Switzerland has compulsory basic health insurance. The key detail is timing: you are typically expected to take it out within 3 months of taking up residence, and premiums are generally charged retroactively from your move-in date. Late sign-ups can trigger surcharges. Source: FOPH/BAG - insurance obligation.
Practical next step: open our guide and decide the three variables that matter (model, deductible, provider network). Health insurance basics.
Newcomers often under-budget “fixed costs”. As a reference point, the FOPH/BAG reports an average adult premium of CHF 465.30/month for 2026 (basic compulsory insurance). Your canton, model, and deductible can change this, but it is a useful sanity check. Source: FOPH/BAG - premiums 2026.
Day 4 - Transport you can actually use
Install the right apps (SBB Mobile, plus ZVV in Zurich). Learn the zone rule early so you do not gamble on tickets. Start here: public transport in Zurich.
Day 5 - SIM + internet: avoid expensive mistakes
In your first month, prioritize “good enough + flexible”. Choose stable coverage and clear contract terms, then optimize once you know your routine. Guides: mobile plans and internet at home.
Day 6 - Banking: get paid, then optimize
Your first goal is functional banking: salary in, bills paid, a card that works everywhere, and a clear view of fees. Then optimize for FX costs if you move money CHF↔EUR. Guide: banking for expats.
Day 7 - Groceries + baseline monthly costs
The fastest way to reduce stress is to make your monthly baseline predictable. Guides: groceries in Zurich and monthly bills checklist.
Common first-week mistakes
The pattern is consistent: waiting too long to register, guessing on transport, and signing long contracts before you know your routine. If you fix those three, your first month becomes dramatically easier.